Dhoni is the only player in the current 15-man Indian squad to have featured in previous two World Cups (2007 and 2011). He took India to World Cup glory in 2011, winning the tournament with a six in the final at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. (Team India guide)

File photo: Dhoni (right) hugs Tendulkar after winning the World Cup in 2011

While 11 of the 15 will be making their World Cup debuts, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and R Ashwin were the other 3 to have been part of the victorious 2011 squad. (Team India's WC records)

At 33, Dhoni is not part of the young brigade. Citing the "strain" of playing all formats, and to concentrate on ODIs and T20s, he quit Tests last month (December 30), which came as a bolt from the blue to his colleagues and fans.

One of the best finishers and arguably India's greatest leader in shorter versions of the game, Dhoni will most likely not feature in the 2019 World Cup in England.

By the time the next 50-over big tournament comes around, Dhoni will be few months short of his 38th birthday.

Having played in all three formats non-stop (including Indian Premier League) for nearly 9 years, Dhoni is expected to bid adieu to ODIs in the next couple of years. (Photos from WC 2011 final)

Dhoni with the World Cup 2011 trophy

One cannot be surprised if Dhoni chooses to bow out of ODIs after this World Cup, in case he manages to steer the team to a second title in a row.

While there are still speculations over why Dhoni retired from Tests midway through the Australia series, the wicketkeeper-batsman has chosen to not reveal the reasons.

"You can ask questions, but it is my decision (not to answer them). I will answer if I want to," was Dhoni's reply when queried on his Test retirement.

And in recent times, all seems to be not well in the Indian dressing room. Virat Kohli seems to have become the "Chosen One" for most of the team management at the moment.

With Kohli in prolific form in all formats, rightly, the focus too is on him. The day is not far away when the Delhi lad is anointed as the ODI captain as well with having already got the reins of Test team.

Dhoni will be few months short of his 38th birthday at next World Cup

If Team India fails to defend the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, questions might be asked about Dhoni's leadership and a change in guard might be brought in.

However, irrespective of the results in ICC World Cup 2015, Dhoni is almost certain to not hang around till the next showpiece event in 2019.

As Sachin Tendulkar did in his final World Cup appearance four years ago, Dhoni too will be aiming to bow out on a high, making it two in a row.